Golden Retriever with skin infection - Answered by Dr. Lee

[chaoseeker]

Hey Everybody,
I have a 10 year old Golden Retriever who has a skin infection. It started out as a few perfectly round circles that were flaky with a scabby/bleeding center. I thought it was ringworm and took her to the vet right away. they did a test and found that it wasn't ringworm. Now here's the problem: they charged be $63 for the visit and more for antibiotics. She had been there just three weeks before with a completly different problem and they did the same thing. Now that the antibiotics have done nothing, they want to charge me $43 more to bring her back and look at again.

I'm 18 and moving away from home for the first time and just don't have enough money to take this dog to the vet every couple of weeks. Especially if all they are going to is perscribe me antibiotics and send me away, no tests or anything.
I'm moving to Los Angeles and I'm hoping I can find a better (more affordable) vet there.

Until then my dogs problem has gotten much worse, the spots got bigger and now her feet seem to have some kind of infection as well. I feel horrible having to just watch my miserable dog suffer. Please, if you know of anything that could help, or just make her more comfortable until I get myself into a better situation, it would be greatly appreciated.

[luckypenny]

Hello Chaoseeker and welcome.

63$ for a consultation and meds is actually a very good price. I doubt you would find it cheaper elsewhere. If you added testing to that, then it would be more expensive of course. Your dog needs to be seen by a vet asap because she obviously is not getting better without the proper treatment. Unfortunately, we are not vets and cannot diagnose/treat your dog over the internet. If you're not satisfied with your vet, then seek the opinion of another. As for the affordability of fees: when you take on the responsibility of pet ownership, then you take on the responsibility of medical expenses as well. Can your parents not help you out? Friends? Family? Perhaps you can work out a payment plan with your vet? It's unfortunate your dog suffers needlessly because appropriate treatment is not being sought.

I hope she gets better quickly. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[Frenchy]

I have goldens and believe me , $63 for consultation and meds is nothing. I know your situation is not easy, like Luckypenny posted, do you know anyone that could help you moneywise ? I don't think this can wait, really, your dog needs to be treated for this. I would say go to another vet for a second opinion but they probably won't help with the payment if you are a new customer. Get in touch with a golden rescue in your area, explain to them the situation, they may be able to help. Good luck. Keep us posted.

[coppperbelle]

One of my goldens sometimes get skin infections especially in the summer after swimming. The vet prescribes antibiotics and also gives her Prenisone for itching. Sometimes it takes a second round of antibiotics to clear up the infection completely.
One the infections is cleared up you will have to figure out what is causing the infection so you can prevent it from happening again in the future.

[Dr Lee]

Unfortunately I also agree with the posts regarding pricing and being originally from Los Angeles - those prices are likely to be higher, not lower.

Do you have any pictures of the skin? What antibiotics? Can you get a copy of the medical records. I would be happy to look at them for you to see if I could give you any 'cost effective' ideas to help out.

With regard to prednisone and steroids, there is a topical spray that I like called Genesis. It is fairly inexpesive and has the advantage of being topical - so less concentration into the heart/liver/kidneys/brain/pancreas than oral medications.

Good luck